FIELD HOCKEY AREA MVP: Michelle Federico, Cheshire (photos)

High school field hockey teams, including the ones loaded with talent from front to back, often times have one standout who seemingly is involved on every play.

For the Cheshire field hockey team -- which excelled at every position en route to a 10-0 record in Southern Connecticut Conference play and a 1-0 win over Hand in the SCC tournament championship -- junior midfielder Michelle Federico was that player.

While Emma Farrel was the team's biggest offensive threat and Emily Hague and Lindsey Bonitz anchored the defense, it was Federico who was a dominant force in every phase of the game.

Federico always seemed to have a stick on the ball. She routinely started the offensive attack coming out of the defensive zone, used her stick-handling skills to possess the ball at midfield and used her quickness to set up a goal or score.

Federico didn't score in the SCC tournament championship, but she was so dominant throughout the tournament that she was named MVP. In the final, she controlled the tempo of the game and initiated the transition on offense that led to Farrel's game-winning goal.

"Michelle's stats are amazing, but it is everything else she does, all the intangibles on the field, that makes her a clear choice for All-Area MVP," Cheshire coach Eileen Dunham said. "We have a lot of talented players on our team, and our success was truly a team effort on offense and defense and at midfield.

"But as a midfielder, she is one of the most talented field hockey players in the state. She played a big part in most of our goals, either setting up a goal or scoring a goal or completing the transition to offense that resulted in a goal."

Federico finished the season with 19 goals and 21 assists.

"Transitioning the ball at midfield was my biggest job, going from the defensive line to the offensive line," Federico said. "But it was always great if I contributed with a goal or an assist. Scoring a goal or setting up a goal, either way it feels just as good contributing on offense."

It was the second straight year the Rams won both the SCC regular-season and tournament titles.

"A lot of people were surprised that we did so well since we graduated last season's All-American goalie (Maria Blois, who played at Quinnipiac last fall). But our seniors were determined to have a strong season and everyone worked hard. Being in the SCC and Class L championship games showed how strong we really were as a team."

The Rams ended up 20-3 and didn't lose to a New Haven-area team. All three of their losses came against Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference teams -- Darien in the Class L final and New Canaan and Greenwich in the regular season.

"My strength as a player comes from my speed and deceptiveness that throws people off," Federico said. "I'm quick on the field, and that allows me to dribble through people."

Federico also plays lacrosse and competes on the indoor track team. Her ultimate goal is to study nursing or medicine in college.

"We had a very successful season and Michelle was a big part of that success," Dunham said. "When she goes to college I think she will be very competitive at that level. She already has multiple Division I scholarship offers."